Freshly Made Sketches #500 Celebration

 I have always following sketches, it makes thing so much easier for me.  I have followed Freshly Made Sketches for quite some time and although I have made many sketches have never "published" my work. But to celebrate (and to win) their #500 Sketch I wanted to do so.  Who can pass up winning gift cards/certificates from the wonderful sponsors. 

You can find the #500 blog here

This is the #500 sketch 

And this is my submission/take. The paper(s) come from the July SCT Sampler. It's a kit subscription I decided to try a year ago. It's been fun to see some new papers and embellishments that I would not normally buy.  The kit also had a 3x4 stamp set Sunflower Bliss from The Stamp Market. It's another perk of the kits you get exclusive stamp sets before anyone else!  

I don't blog much, usually only to publish something since I don't spend much time on the other social media application to post. 

Have a great day!  

Joanie 

Share Your Design - Gerda Steiner Designs

 It's been a long time since I created cards for challenges and just recently decided that I wanted to create again for some challenges.  My focus lately has been birthday cards for 3 groups on Facebook and although it's fun, I'm a little "birthday'd out". 

Gerda digital stamps has been one of my favorites and I collected the freebies and used them and then purchased this one, many, many moons ago.  I played around with it, trying to get it sized correctly and came up with this design. 

This is the "Ice Skating Mouse", I think I have sparked a little mojo with winter cards.   I'm not sure about the designer paper, it may be a very old Lawn Fawn, the other paper is Stampin Up Old Olive.  I colored this cutie with Copic markers and you can't tell but I used Wink of Stella on the skates.  I created the sentiment with word and cut it out with a Spellbinders die (I'm sure retired) and then a snowflake brad from "somewhere". 

I'm entering this into the Share Your Design October challenge, getting in just at the end of the deadline.  I hope I can use this cutie on other cards, perfect for the upcoming winter season to make someone smile. 

Have a blessed day!  

Joanie 

Hero Arts Challenge #15 Fall and Halloween

 This is my first Hero Arts Challenge, so I had to dust off my blog that I have neglected for way too long.   I couldn't find any Hero Arts for fall/Halloween, it's possible I may have some. I have taken so many of my stamps off their wood blocks, and unfortunately did not document well. 

So my card uses Stampin Up! paper and ink (Really Rust and More Mustard). Stamps are Gina K including her wreath building template. I love the wreath builder it makes a card like this come together quickly. I don't normally make square cards, but sometimes it's a nice break from my usual A2 cards. 

I would love to be the random winner so I can buy some Hero Arts products for fall and Halloween. 

Send a Smile for kids Mom's Day challenge

I noticed on Facebook a call out for Mother's Day cards from Send A Smile for Kids.  I have to admit that making a Mother's Day card is a little difficult, not to mention Father's Day, since I'm now an orphan.  Probably not the best terminology but both of my parents are gone, and I miss them so much. My dad 26 years, my mom a short 3 years.  But I decided to create a card for this challenge and hopefully make a few to send in time for Mother's Day.

Information on the challenge is here

Here is my submission

All the paper is Stampin Up!  I know you can't see it but the off white mat is a retired Confetti Cream, oh why did this get rid of it!!!

Play along if you'd like and send some cards to this organization!  They would appreciate it! 


Have a great week! 

Joanie

Sending Paw Prints Challenge #5

I'm on a roll here..... that is actually participating in some challenges and inking up some stamps.

For this challenge we were to use green.   My green is in this cutie's dress as well as the paper, albeit fluorescent green.  This was a scrap piece which worked out great.  I used a sketch from Operation Write Home #2 and made a few little changes but overall I stuck to the sketch. It's actually my best way to make cards, because it provides all the measurements.

The stamps are from My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Feline Better set.

I did this one quickly because I wanted to get this challenge done early because it is spring time in Indiana and what that means, is crazy weather..... rain and snow, cold then warm.  Our furnace went out a week ago on the same day our lawn mower died.  So we stimulated the Indiana economy for sure this week.   Tomorrow I get to try out the new lawn mower!

Thanks for all the previous comments, it's fun to post things..... I just wish I had more time!

Until next time!  Stay safe!

Joanie

2017 Spring Coffee Lovers Bloghop

I stumbled across this blog and saw all the great prizes and decided since I'm attempting to put myself on a craft "budget" that I should try to win prizes if I run across a blog with companies that I like.  So this one was one that I decided to do for a couple of reasons... I like coffee, or as my husband would say, you like cream with a side of coffee..... which is probably true and I have had this stamps set with a coffee theme.

I inked up a set from Taylored Expressions that I have to say, I've had quite awhile and never used.  I'm probably the only person in the universe that has done that..... right???!!! 

I dug out some ribbon (on the bottom) that I have had for years and quickly did this card, considering it is Tuesday @ 8 pm and the deadline is tomorrow!   So anyway, it came out okay and I may play around more with this stamp set since I have it out.

Hope everyone is having a great day/week!! 


Joanie

Sending Paw Prints Challenge #4

Sending Paw Prints Challenge #4

Another great challenge over at Sending Paw Prints to create a thank-you note that has an element of newsprint.  This was easy for me since I have LOTS (and lots) of designer paper. This piece of newsprint just happens to be from Stampin Up! 

I hope you will play along with this group and send/make cards for them.

Here is my submission for the challenge:

Spring is in the air in Indiana, yesterday (3/24) is was in the mid-60's, a little windy but it sure did start to green things up.  I think I will be mowing the lawn very soon.

Unfortunately all the Indiana teams are out of the NCAA Tournament, but Xavier is still playing... maybe they will pull it off! 

Have a great week! 


Joanie